Jim Freire

Jim’s favorite joke to tell was: “Hey guys. I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is that there is baseball in Heaven (because Genesis starts with ‘In the Big Inning’). The bad news is that I’m tonight’s starting pitcher!” Coach walked to the mound with Jesus on Friday, April 3rd, 2026, after a tough battle with cancer. James Joseph Freire was born on October 23, 1944, in Spanish Harlem, New York City, NY. He lived in NYC until 1983, before moving to Kentucky to spend the rest of his years. Jim loved the game of baseball and grew up watching the Yankees from behind the stadium walls. Jim served in the Vietnam War for two years and saw much combat before he contracted malaria and had to spend the rest of his military service in a hospital in Japan. Once he moved to Kentucky, Jim worked/retired from the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet as a Section Supervisor. Jim’s true loves were his Lord and Savior, his family and, of course, baseball! And he always managed to intertwine these three priorities into his daily life. Jim’s desire was to teach the game of baseball to as many youths as possible, making sure they knew, not just the mechanics of the game, but also how to be men/women of good character. His favorite nicknames to be called were “Papaw” and “Coach”. Jim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Laura (the “Child Bride”!); his sons Matthew (Ashley) Freire, Chase (Katie) Nichols, and Corey (Mary) Nichols. Jim’s heart was most filled with joy when he was around his four grandchildren: Isabelle, Emerson, Mia and Frankie. Jim is also survived by his sister Peggy Fleming, as well as very special cousins and nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Rourke, his father, Joseph Freire, and two sisters, Patsy Rodenas and Joann Fiel. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of LeCompte Johnson Taylor Funeral Home. Services will be held Saturday, April 11 at 10:30 am at Graefenburg Baptist Church, followed by burial with military honors at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday, April 10 from 5-8 pm at Graefenburg Baptist Church and beginning again at 9:30 am Saturday morning prior to the service.

Jim Freire

October 23, 1944 - April 3, 2026